A smoking article assembly machine

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a smoking article assembly machine. The smoking article assembly machine has a filter rod receiving section configured to receive filter rods ( 9 ) containing an inserted object ( 36, 36 ′) and an assembled smoking article discharge section. The smoking article assembly machine also has a smoking article assembly path between the filter rod receiving section and the assembled smoking article discharge section along which filter rods ( 9 ) pass in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of filter rods, and a microwave sensor unit ( 51 ) through which filter rods ( 9 ) pass in a transverse direction, the microwave sensor unit ( 51 ) being disposed along the assembly path. The microwave sensor unit ( 51 ) is configured to provide an indication of one or more properties of an inserted object ( 36, 36 ′) in each filter rod ( 9 ) passing transversely along the smoking article assembly path. The present application also relates to a method of assembling a smoking article on a smoking article assembly machine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a smoking article assembly machine. Thepresent invention also relates to a method of assembling a smokingarticle on a smoking article assembly machine.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles are known in which a capsule is disposed. Such acapsule generally contains a fluid, such as a flavourant. The capsulemay be frangible such that the frangible capsule is broken, and thefluid released, when a user applies pressure to the filter rod in theproximity of a frangible capsule.

Such a smoking article is manufactured by manufacturing filter rodscontaining capsules on a filter making machine and tobacco rods on atobacco rod making machine. The manufactured filter rods and tobaccorods may then be used in the assembly of smoking articles on a smokingarticle assembly machine. An example of such a smoking article assemblymachine is the Hauni Max manufactured by Hauni Maschinenbau AG ofHamburg Germany.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a smokingarticle assembly machine comprising a filter rod receiving sectionconfigured to receive filter rods containing an inserted object, anassembled smoking article discharge section, a smoking article assemblypath between the filter rod receiving section and the assembled smokingarticle discharge section along which filter rods pass in a transversedirection to the longitudinal axis of filter rods, and a microwavesensor unit through which filter rods pass in a transverse direction,the microwave sensor unit being disposed along the assembly pathconfigured to provide an indication of one or more properties of aninserted object in each filter rod passing transversely along thesmoking article assembly path through the microwave sensor unit.

The microwave sensor unit may comprise stationary first and seconddetector units between which filter rods pass in a transverse direction.

The smoking article assembly machine may further comprise a conveyordrum arrangement including a rotatable drum configured to receive saidfilter rods, or at least partially assembled smoking articles includingsaid filter rods, around its periphery and thereby to transport saidfilter rods along an arced path during its rotation, the microwavesensor unit being configured to provide an indication of one or moreproperties of an inserted object in each filter rod received by therotatable drum.

The microwave sensor unit may comprise a first detector unit and asecond detector unit configured to provide an indication of one or moreproperties of an inserted object in each filter rod when each filter rodis interposed between the first detector unit and the second detectorunit.

The first detector unit may be outside the diameter of the arced path ofsaid filter rods. The second detector unit may be within the diameter ofthe arced path of said filter rods.

The first detector unit may be within the diameter of the arced path ofsaid filter rods. The second detector unit may be outside the diameterof the arced path of said filter rods.

The rotatable drum may be configured to move relative to the microwavesensor unit. The first detector unit may be a microwave transmitter andthe second detector unit may be a microwave receiver.

The first detector unit may be a microwave receiver and the seconddetector unit may be a microwave transmitter.

The microwave sensor unit may comprise a planar resonator on the smokingarticle assembly path.

The smoking article assembly machine may further comprise a base aboutwhich the rotatable drum is rotatable. At least one of the first andsecond detector units may be on the base.

The base may extend around the rotatable drum.

The rotatable drum may further comprise a first drum section and asecond drum section extending on either side of the base.

The rotatable drum may be an intermediate drum.

The smoking article assembly machine may further comprise a linearconveyor arrangement configured to receive said filter rods, or at leastpartially assembled smoking articles including said filter rods, andthereby to transport said filter rods along a linear path, the microwavesensor unit being configured to provide an indication of one or moreproperties of an inserted object in each filter rod received by thelinear conveyor arrangement.

The microwave sensor unit may comprise a fork resonator on the smokingarticle assembly path.

The smoking article assembly machine may comprise at least two microwavesensor units configured to provide an indication of one or moreproperties of an inserted object in each filter rod at two or morepoints along or adjacent to the path of each filter rod.

The microwave sensor unit may comprise at least two first and/or twosecond detector units configured to provide an indication of one or moreproperties of an inserted object in each filter rod at two or morepoints along or adjacent to the path of each filter rod.

The microwave sensor may comprise at least two first detector units andat least two corresponding second detector units. The microwave sensorunit may comprise at least two first detector units and onecorresponding second detector unit. The microwave sensor unit maycomprise one first detector unit and at least two corresponding seconddetector units.

The filter rod receiving section configured to receive filter rodscontaining an inserted object may be a filter rod receiving sectionconfigured to receive filter rods containing a capsule.

The microwave sensor unit may be configured to be stationary duringoperation.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof assembling a smoking article on a smoking article assembly machinecomprising receiving a filter rod containing an inserted object,assembling the smoking articles including the filter rod containing theinserted object, and discharging the assembled smoking article, themethod further including passing filter rods in a transverse directionto the longitudinal axis of the filter rod through a microwave sensorunit to provide an indication of one or more properties of the insertedobject in the filter rod between receiving the filter rod anddischarging the assembled smoking article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cigarette making machine;

FIGS. 2A to 2J illustrate successive stages during the manufacture offilter cigarettes with the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of an intermediate drum of the cigarette making machineshown in FIG. 1 showing one embodiment of a microwave detector station;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the intermediate drum shown in FIG. 3 withthe microwave detector station;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the intermediate drum shown in FIG. 3 withthe microwave detector station;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the intermediate drum shown in FIG. 3 withanother embodiment of a microwave detector station;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the intermediate drum shown in FIG. 3 withanother embodiment of a microwave detector station; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a discharge section of the cigarettemaking machine shown in FIG. 1 with another embodiment of a microwavedetector station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a cigarette making machine is illustrated. Thecigarette making machine acts as a smoking article making machine.Although the following description describes a cigarette making machine,it will be understood that alternative arrangements are possible inwhich the smoking article making machine makes other types of smokingarticle. Any reference to a cigarette can be replaced by a reference toa smoking article.

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable productssuch as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco,tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobaccosubstitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may beprovided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

In FIG. 1 a cigarette making machine is illustrated in which smokingarticles in the form of filter cigarettes are manufactured in a seriesof fabrication steps performed at fabrication stations along aproduction line. The fabrication steps include attaching rods of tobaccoto opposite ends of a filter rod, cutting the filter rod to produce twocigarettes back-to-back, re-aligning the cigarettes carrying out aquality control inspection, rejecting unacceptable cigarettes andpassing accepted cigarettes for packaging.

The cigarette making machine defines a smoking article assembly pathbetween a filter rod receiving section and an assembled smoking articledischarge section. The cigarette making machine comprises a conveyerdrum arrangement 40. The conveyer drum arrangement 40 transports thetobacco rods and filter rods along the smoking article assembly path.The conveyer drum arrangement 40 also enables assembly of the cigarettesalong the smoking article assembly path. The conveyer drum arrangementcomprises a plurality of rotatable drums, also known as rollers, whichare configured to transport filter rods or at least partially assembledcigarettes along the smoking article assembly path. As the filter rodsor at least partially assembled cigarettes are transported along thesmoking article assembly path by each of the rotatable drums, it will beunderstood that they travel in a direction transverse to theirlongitudinal axis. That is, the filter rods or at least partiallyassembled cigarettes move in a direction which is perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axis.

As shown in FIG. 1, successive lengths of tobacco rod 1 manufactured bya rod making machine are fed from a hopper to an inlet drum 3 by meansof a spider (not shown), such that they are received in axiallyextending grooves 2 on the surface of the inlet drum 3 of the conveyerdrum arrangement 40. The tobacco rods 1 are held in the grooves 2 bynegative air pressure. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, each of the tobaccorods 1 has a length corresponding to two cigarettes. The tobacco rods 1may comprise tobacco or like smokeable material wrapped in a paperwrapper.

The conveyer drum arrangement 40 conveys the tobacco rods 1 from thetobacco rod receiving section. That is, the point at which they arereceived from the hopper to a point at which the inlet drum 3 of theconveyer drum arrangement 40 meets a cutter drum 4. At this point, therods 1 on conveyer drum arrangement 40 are fed into correspondinggrooves 2 of the cutter drum 4, where they pass a rotary cutter blade 5that cuts the rods 1 in half as illustrated in FIG. 2B to form cut rods1, 1′. The cut rods 1, 1′ then pass onto grooves 2 of a spacer drum 6which is driven in synchronism with the cutter drum 4. A spacer device 7separates the cut rods 1, 1′ and passes them onto a filter receivingdrum 8 that also has grooves 2. The various rods can be held in thegrooves 2 of the conveyer drums 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27,29, 30 of the cigarette making machine described herein by negative airpressure.

The cut rods 1, 1′ are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to receivea length of filter rod 9. Successive lengths of filter rod 9 aremanufactured by a filter rod making machine (not shown). The filter rodmaking machine produces continuous lengths of filter rod which aresubsequently cut prior to being received by a filter rod hopper (notshown). The filter rod making machine and cigarette making machine areindependent of each other. That is, the lengths of filter rod are takenoff-line following manufacture on the filter rod making machine, and aresubsequently fed to the cigarette making machine. The filter rods maycomprise cellulose acetate tow wrapped in a plug wrap or may includeother or additional filter material. The lengths of filter rod 9 for usein the present invention each include at least two inserted objects 36,36′ (refer to FIG. 3), such as frangible capsules. Each capsule may holda fluid, such as a flavourant, which is released when the frangiblecapsule is broken by a user applying pressure to the filter rod in theproximity of the frangible capsule. The filter rods 9 may includeadditional material, such as a Dalmatian filter segment or adsorbentsuch as particles of activated carbon. It will be understood that it isnecessary to check whether the inserted objects are present, and/or, inthe case of a frangible capsule for example, intact, followingmanufacture of the continuous lengths of filter rod. Such detection ofthe state or presence of an inserted object has previously beenperformed offline on a separate machine following manufacture of thecontinuous lengths of filter rod 9, and prior to providing thecontinuous lengths of filter rod to the cigarette making machine.

Following manufacture of the continuous lengths of filter rod on thefilter rod making machine and prior to the continuous lengths of filterrod being received by the cigarette making machine, the lengths offilter rods may be stored. The cut lengths of filter rod 9 are receivedby the filter rod hopper (not shown) of the cigarette making machine.

The cut lengths of filter rod 9 are fed onto the filter receiving drum 8from filter inlet drum 10 that receives successive filter rods 9 from ahopper (not shown) fed in the direction of arrow B. Although in thepresent arrangement a single filter receiving drum 8 is described andshown, it will be understood that further drums may be disposed betweenthe filter rod hopper (not shown) and the filter inlet drum 10, such asa filter rod cutting drum, a grading drum, a shifting drum and anaccelerating drum. Where the filter rods 9 enter the cigarette makingmachine is the filter rod receiving section.

The resulting configuration of tobacco rods 1, 1′ and filter rod 9 onthe filter receiving drum 8 is illustrated in FIG. 2C. This arrangementof aligned rods is then transferred to a tipping drum 11 that is drivenin synchronism with filter receiving drum 8 and a washplate (not shown)to ensure that the rods 1, 9 and 1′ abut one another.

Then, a cut length of tipping paper 12 is applied to the filter rod 9 soas to overlap its ends and join the rods 1, 1′, 9 together asillustrated in FIG. 2D. The tipping paper 12 is fed as a web from asupply roll (not shown) in the direction of arrow C onto an applicatorroller 14 after having been passed over a curling plate and havingadhesive applied in a manner well known per se and not illustrated inFIG. 1 in order to simplify the explanation. A cutter roller 15 withblades 16 cuts the continuous web of tipping paper into individualsegments of tipping paper 12 for each pair of cigarettes as illustratedin FIG. 2D. The action of the drum 11 is to roll the tipping paperaround the coaxial arrangement of rods 1, 1′, 9 shown in FIG. 2D so thatthey become joined by the glued tipping paper segment 12 to provide thecombined rod arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2E.

The combined rod arrangement 1, 1′, 9 is then transferred to aventilation forming station that comprises a synchronously driven drum17 with an associated laser 18 which burns ventilation holes into thefilter and/or tobacco rods 1, 9, 1′. The ventilated rods are then passedby a feeder roller 19 to a cutting station comprising a final cut roller20 and rotary cutter blade 21 which cuts the joined rods in half by therotary cutter blade 21 to provide a pair of cigarettes 22, 22′ withtobacco rods 23, 23′ and filter rod segments 24, 24′ respectivelyarranged back-to back, as shown in FIG. 2F.

The cut cigarettes 22, 22′ are then fed onto the periphery of anintermediate drum 25 shown in FIG. 1. The intermediate drum 25 isdisposed on the smoking article assembly path between the final cutroller 20 and the turning drum 26. The intermediate drum 25 is driven insynchronism with final cut roller 20. The intermediate drum 25transports the cigarettes 22, 22′. A microwave detector station 50comprising the intermediate drum 25 is provided to inspect theproperties of an inserted object 36, 36′ in each filter rod segment 24,24′. The microwave detector station 50 comprises two microwave sensorunits 51 (only one shown in FIG. 1). The microwave sensor units 51 areoffset from one another. The two microwave sensor units 51 are alignedwith the path of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′ to provide an indicationof one or more properties of an inserted object 36, 36′ in each filterrod segment 24, 24′, passing transversely along the smoking articleassembly path. One advantage of offsetting the microwave sensor units 51is to allow the microwave sensor units 51 to be received with a spacehaving a limited width in the axial direction, and to restrict anyinterference between adjacent microwave sensor units 51. However, itwill be understood that in an alternative embodiment that the microwavesensor units 51 are axially aligned with each other.

Although two microwave sensor units 51 are described in the presentembodiment, it will be understood that in an alternative embodiment onlyone microwave sensor unit 51 may be present. For example, in anarrangement in which the microwave detector station 50 is disposedfurther down the smoking article assembly path, as will be describedhereinafter, only a single microwave sensor unit may be present as thecigarettes 22′ are aligned with the cigarettes 22.

A detailed description of the microwave detector station 50 will begiven below.

The cut cigarettes 22, 22′ are then fed onto the periphery of a turningdrum 26 shown in FIG. 1 that is driven in synchronism with intermediatedrum 25 at which the cigarettes 22′ are flipped over to be aligned withcigarettes 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2G.

The aligned cigarettes 22, 22′ are then fed from the turning drum 26into grooves 2 of inspection drum 27 that rotates in synchronism withturning drum 26. Therefore, the aligned cigarettes are fed successivelythrough an inspection station comprising the inspection drum 27 at whicha camera 28 or other optical detector carries out an inspection of thequality of the thus manufactured cigarettes received in grooves 2 of theinspection drum 27. The camera 28 feeds data to a processor P whichcompares it with stored information corresponding to quality controlcriteria so as to control a diverter gate G depending on the outcome, sothat the cigarettes which meet the quality control criteria are fed inan accept path onto outlet drum 29 driven in synchronism with inspectiondrum 27 and then pass in the direction of arrow D onto an outputconveyor (not shown) for packaging. The diverter gate G diverts rejectedcigarettes so that they continue on a reject path around the inspectiondrum 27 and transfer onto a reject drum 30. The diverting action of thegate G may be implemented or assisted by controlling or releasing anegative pressure that retains the cigarettes 22 in the grooves 2 on theinspection drum 27.

The processor P may also or alternatively receive quality control datafrom other tests performed on the cigarettes whilst they pass along thesmoking article assembly path, which can used to control the divertergate G. For example, the cigarettes may be subject to a pressure test asthey pass around the inspection drum 27, in which air is pumped into oneend and the pressure drop through the rod is measured. If the pressuredrop is too high or too low, this indicates a bad join between thetobacco rod and filter of the cigarettes 22, 22′ such that the cigaretteshould be rejected. Also an optical detector (not shown) may be providedto detect loose ends where not enough tobacco fills the rod, or strandsof tobacco that are protruding from the rod ends.

The processor P may also or alternatively receive data on the propertiesof an inserted object 36, 36′ in each filter rod segment 24, 24′determined as they pass through the microwave detector station 50. Thisdata may be used to control the diverter gate G. For example, themicrowave detector station 50 may be used to measure the moisture level.If the determined moisture level is too high or too low, this mayindicate a damaged capsule in the filter rod segment 24, 24′ such thatthe cigarette should be rejected. Alternatively, a different controlmeans and/or discharge means may be used together with the microwavedetector station 50.

Referring to FIG. 2H, it can be seen that rejected cigarette 22″ has afilter 24″ that includes a fault 32 at its mouth end which will beunacceptable to the user. The rejected cigarettes that pass cutter 31abut against a transverse guide 33 and so are accurately alignedaxially. As a result, the cutter blade 31 can accurately cut the filter24″ from the tobacco rod 23″ as shown in FIG. 2J through the tobacco rodwhilst in situ on the reject drum 30. The cut filter 24″ falls along afirst reject path 34 whereas the tobacco rod 23″ falls along a secondreject path 35 as shown in FIG. 2J.

Many modifications and variations to the described cigarette makingmachine will be evident to those skilled in the art. For example thedescribed process may be used for smoking articles other thancigarettes.

Also, further quality control measures may be included. For example, thecombination of rods shown in FIG. 2C may be rejected either afteroptical detection or in terms of their combined weight e.g. at drum 8,so as to detect whether a filter rod 9 was successfully placed betweenthe tobacco rods 1, 1′.

It will also be appreciated that the various steps of productiondescribed with reference to FIG. 2 can be altered and modified. Forexample additional conveyer drums may be included along the smokingarticle assembly path to allow additional manufacturing steps to beperformed, and/or particular conveyer drums may be reordered or omitted.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, one embodiment of the microwave detectorstation 50 is shown. In the present embodiment, the microwave detectorstation 50 is arranged to analyze the condition of filter rod segments24, 24′ at the intermediate drum 25 of the smoking article machine. Anadvantage of providing the microwave detector station 50 at the positionof the intermediate drum 25 is that it is proximate to the end of thesmoking article assembly path, and also prior to the inspection drum 27.Therefore, it is possible to detect any damage caused to the objects 36,36′ inserted in the filter rod segments during assembly of the smokingarticles 22, 22′. Furthermore, it is possible to utilize the inspectionstation to discard any smoking articles having faulty filter rodsections 22, 22′ determined by the microwave detector station 50.However, it will be understood that the microwave detector station 50may be disposed at a different location within the smoking articlemachine.

An intermediate drum arrangement 60 includes the intermediate drum 25and a stationary collar 61. The drum sections 52, 53 are configured torotate about the stationary collar 61. The microwave detector station 50includes the intermediate drum arrangement 60 and first and secondmicrowave sensor units 51, 51′. It will be understood that the microwavedetector station 50 may alternatively include another conveyer druminstead of the intermediate drum 25.

The intermediate drum 25 forms a hollow cylinder. The intermediate drum25 comprises a first drum section 52 and a second drum section 53. Thefirst and second drum sections 52, 53 are fixedly mounted to each otherby a hollow shaft 54. The first and second drum sections 52, 53 areconfigured to rotate in synchronization. The first and second drumsections 52, 53 may be integrally formed.

The intermediate drum 25 has a cylindrical wall 55, end walls 56, 57,and a circumferentially extending channel 58. The channel 58 isconfigured to receive the stationary collar 61. The stationary collar 61is configured to be slidably mounted in the channel 58 of theintermediate drum 25 so that the intermediate drum 25 is rotatablethereabout. Moreover, the drum is configured to be rotatable about itscylindrical axis. The channel 58 is formed between the first and seconddrum sections 52, 53.

The stationary collar 61 is recessed below the outer surface of thecylindrical wall 55. That is, the outer diameter of the stationarycollar 61 is less than the diameter of the outer surface of thecylindrical wall 55. Therefore, the stationary collar 61 does notinteract with combined rod arrangement 1, 1′, 9 as it moves along itspath. A support 62 extends from the collar 61 away from the path of thecombined rod arrangement 1, 1′, 9. A recess 63 is formed in the collar61. The recess 63 is formed by a base 64 and side walls 65, 66 of thestationary collar 61. The recess 63 is formed in the outer side of thestationary collar 61.

The intermediate drum 25 has axially extending grooves 59, as alreadydescribed with reference to FIG. 1. The grooves 59 act as smokingarticle conveying points. The intermediate drum 25 also has a pump (notshown) and pressure delivery apparatus (not shown) which is operable todeliver a pressure differential from the pump to the grooves 59. Theouter surface of the cylindrical wall 55 of the intermediate drum 25comprises grooves 59 running parallel to the cylindrical axis of theintermediate drum 25 and spaced around the circumference of theintermediate drum 25. Each groove 59 is configured to receive a smokingarticle 1. A first part 59 a of each groove is formed on the first drumsection 52. A second part 59 b of each groove 59 is formed on the seconddrum section 53. The first and second parts 59 a, 59 b of each groove 59are aligned with each other. For illustrative purposes cigarettes areshown held in a number of the grooves 59 in FIG. 3.

The intermediate drum 25 comprises air ports 67 aligned with the grooves59. Each air port 67 comprises a hole through the cylindrical wall 55 ofthe intermediate drum 25.

The pump (not shown) is configured such that, when operated, it willgenerate a first air pressure which is lower than the ambient airpressure at the outer surface of the intermediate drum 25 and a secondair pressure which is higher than the ambient air pressure at the at theouter surface of the intermediate drum 25.

The microwave detector station 50 includes the first and secondmicrowave sensor units 51, 51′. The first and second microwave sensorunits 51, 51′ are generally the same and so one microwave sensor unit 51will be described herein in detail. The use of microwaves helps tominimize any adverse effects occurring due to detection of the conditionof the inserted object 36, 36′. The microwave sensor unit 51 comprises amicrowave transmitter 68 and a microwave receiver 69. The transmitter 68and receiver 69 are spaced apart from each other. The transmitter 68acts as a first detector unit. The receiver 69 acts as a second detectorunit. A detection space or area 70 is defined between the transmitter 68and receiver 69. Detection space or area 70 is configured to allow theobject to be inspected to be received therein so that properties of theobject can be detected. The transmitter 68 is disposed on one side ofthe arced path of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′. The receiver 69 isdisposed on the other side of the arced path of the pair of cigarettes22, 22′. The transmitter 68 and receiver 69 are spaced apart to allowthe passage of each of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′ to passtherebetween.

In the present arrangement, the transmitter 68 is disposed outside thediameter of the arced path of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′. Thetransmitter 68 is mounted relative to the intermediate drum 25 andstationary collar. The transmitter 68 is mounted independently of theintermediate drum 25 and stationary collar 61. Alternatively, thetransmitter 68 is mounted to the support 62 extending from thestationary collar 61. It will be understood that the stationary collar61 is spaced from the path of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′. Thereceiver 69 is received in the recess 63 in the stationary collar 61.That is, the receiver 69 is disposed within the diameter of the arcedpath of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′. The receiver 69 is aligned withthe transmitter 68 so that the receiver 69 receives emitted microwavesfrom the transmitter 68. The transmitter 68 remains stationary. That is,the intermediate drum 25 rotates relative to the transmitter 68. Thereceiver 69 remains stationary. That is, the intermediate drum 25rotates relative to the receiver 69.

Although in the present arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, thetransmitter 68 is disposed outside the diameter of the arced path of thepair of cigarettes 22, 22′ and the receiver 69 is received in the recess63 in the stationary collar 61, it will be understood that alternativeembodiments are possible. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. Inthis embodiment, the positions of the transmitter 68 and the receiver 69of each of the microwave sensor units 51, 51′ are reversed. The receiver69 is disposed outside the diameter of the arced path of the pair ofcigarettes 22, 22′. The transmitter 68 is mounted inside the diameter ofthe arced path of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′. In such anarrangement, the receiver 69 acts as a first detector unit and thetransmitter 68 acts as a second detector unit. Although in the aboveembodiments the transmitters 68 of the first and second microwave sensorunits 51, 51′ are grouped together and the receivers 69 of the first andsecond microwave sensor units 51, 51′ are grouped together, it will beunderstood that in alternative embodiments the receiver 69 of the secondmicrowave sensor unit 51′ may be grouped with the transmitter 68 of thefirst microwave sensor unit 51.

The transmitter 68 and receiver 69 of the first microwave sensor unit 51are aligned to inspect the properties of the inserted object 36 offilter rod segment 24. That is, the first microwave sensor unit 51 ispositioned so that the inserted object 36 of filter rod segment 24passes through the detection space 70 of the first microwave sensor unit51 as it is rotated by the intermediate drum 25. It will be understoodthat the filter rod segment 24 will pass through the detection space 70in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the filter rodsegment 24. This provides for the microwave sensor unit 51 to detectacross the width of the filter rod segment 24.

The transmitter 68 and receiver 69 of the second microwave sensor unit51′ are aligned to inspect the properties of the inserted object 36′ offilter rod segment 24′. That is, the second microwave sensor unit 51′ ispositioned so that the inserted object 36′ of filter rod segment 24′passes through the detection space 70 of the second microwave sensorunit 51′ as it is rotated by the intermediate drum 25. It will beunderstood that the filter rod segment 24′ will pass through thedetection space 70 of the second microwave sensor unit 51′ in atransverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the filter rod segment24′. This provides for the second microwave sensor unit 51′ to detectacross the width of the filter rod segment 24′.

Although in the above described embodiment the first and secondmicrowave sensor units 51, 51′ have separate transmitters 68, it will beunderstood that, in an alternative embodiment, the transmitters 68 ofthe first and second microwave sensor units 51, 51′ may be integrallyformed with each other. Although in the above described embodiment thereceivers 69 of the first and second microwave sensor units 51, 51′ areintegrally formed with each other, it will be understood that, in analternative embodiment, the receivers 69 of the first and secondmicrowave sensor units 51, 51′ may be separate.

During operation of the cigarette making machine, the cut cigarettes 22,22′ are fed onto the periphery of the intermediate drum 25. Thecigarettes 22, 22′ are fed from the final cut roller 20. Theintermediate drum 25 transports the cigarettes 22, 22′ along an arcuatepath. The cigarettes 22, 22′ are therefore received by the microwavedetector station 50. The detection space 70 of each microwave sensorunit 51, 51′ is aligned with the path of a corresponding filter rodsegment 24, 24′ of one of the cigarettes 22, 22′. As the filter rodsegment 24, 24′ passes through the detection space 70, the microwavesensor unit 51 is operable to detect a property of the inserted object36, 36′. For example, the microwave sensor unit 51 is operable to detectone or more of whether the inserted object 36, 36′ is present, whetherthe inserted object 36, 36′ is intact, whether the inserted object 36,36′ is filled with fluid, and/or whether the inserted object 36, 36′ isleaking, or has leaked, its contents.

It will be understood that the microwave sensor unit 51 is operable on aperiodic basis. That is, the transmitter 68 is operated either on atimed basis to correspond to the passage of the filter rod segment 24,24′ through the detection space 70, or when it is determined that thefilter rod segment 24, 24′ will be passing through the detection space70. Alternatively, the transmitter 68 is operable on a continuous basis.As the cigarettes 12, 12′ are fed successively through the microwavedetector station 50, the filter rod segments 24, 24′ pass through thedetection space 70 in a transverse direction to their longitudinal axis.The microwave sensor units 51, 51′ carry out an inspection of thecondition of the inserted objects 36, 36′ of the manufactured cigarettesreceived in grooves 2 of the intermediate drum 25. The processor Pcompares the data from the microwave sensor units 51, 51′ with storedinformation corresponding to quality control criteria. The processor Pis therefore able to determine whether each filter rod segment 24, 24′meets the quality control criteria.

The processor P is configured to determine whether the inserted objects3, 36′ in the filter rod segment 24, 24′ are intact or damaged. In thepresent embodiment, the microwave detector station 50 is used to measurethe moisture level. If the determined moisture level is too high or toolow, this may indicate a damaged capsule in the filter rod segment 24,24′ such that the cigarette should be rejected. The processor P thencontrols the diverter gate G, acting as a diverting unit, depending onthe outcome of the inspection, so that the cigarettes which meet thequality control criteria are fed in an accept path onto outlet drum 29driven in synchronism with inspection drum 27 and then pass in thedirection of arrow D onto an output conveyor (not shown) for packaging.The diverter gate G diverts rejected cigarettes so that they continue ona reject path around the inspection drum 27 and transfer onto the rejectdrum 30. The diverting action of the gate G may be implemented orassisted by controlling or releasing a negative pressure that retainsthe cigarettes 22 in the grooves 2 on the inspection drum 27. Adifferent control means and/or discharge means may be used together withthe microwave detector station 50. For example, in embodiments themicrowave detector unit 51 includes its own diverter unit (not shown)which is operable to divert rejected cigarettes. In such an embodiment,the processor P is configured to control the diverter unit depending onthe outcome of the inspection performed by the microwave detectorstation 50 to reject damaged capsules.

Although embodiments of a microwave detector station are described abovewith reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, it will be understood that alternativeembodiments are possible. Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternativeembodiment of a microwave detector station 100 is shown. The microwavedetector station 100 shown in FIG. 7 is generally the same as theembodiments of the microwave detector station 50 described above and soa detailed description will be omitted herein. Furthermore, features andcomponents of the microwave detector station 100 of the presentembodiment corresponding to features and components of the microwavedetector station 50 described above will retain the same terminology andreference numerals. However, in the microwave detector station 100 shownin FIG. 7 a different type of microwave sensor unit 101 is used.

In FIG. 7 the microwave sensor unit 101 is a planar resonator. Theplanar resonator removes the need to have separate transmitter andreceiver modules. Therefore, the planar resonator is able to bepositioned on one side of the path of the pair of cigarettes 22, 22′.Therefore, it is not necessary to ensure that separate modules areorientated correctly relative to each other. The planar resonator,acting as the microwave sensor unit 101 has a detection space 102. Thedetection space 102 is disposed so that it coincides with the path ofthe inserted object of a filter rod segment. The corresponding filterrod segment passes through this detection space in a transversedirection to its longitudinal axis. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 7the planar resonator is disposed outside the diameter of the path of theinserted object of filter rod segment. However, in another arrangementthe planar resonator may be disposed inside the diameter of the path ofthe inserted object of filter rod segment.

Although embodiments of a microwave detector station are describedherein with the intermediate drum 25, it will be understood that themicrowave detector station may be used together with one of the otherconveyor drums within the smoking article making machine. For example,the microwave detector station 50 may be used with one of conveyer drums8, 10, 11, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30 of the cigarette making machine.Furthermore, in an embodiment in which the microwave detector station isprovided downstream of the turning drum 26 then only one microwavesensor unit will be required because all of the inserted objects of thefilter rod segments will be aligned. This minimises the hardware that isneeded to inspect the inserted objects.

Although embodiments of a microwave detector station are described abovewith a conveyor drum, it will be understood that alternative embodimentsare possible. The cigarettes may be conveyed along part the smokingarticle assembly path by an alternative mechanism. Referring now to FIG.8, an alternative embodiment of a microwave detector station 110 isshown. The microwave detector station 110 shown in FIG. 8 comprises aconveyer belt arrangement 111. In the present embodiment, the microwavedetector station 110 also comprises the inspection drum 27 and theoutlet drum 29. However, it will be understood that the microwavedetector station 110 may be disposed at another position along thesmoking article assembly path.

In the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the conveyor beltarrangement 111 includes a smoking article conveying section 112 onwhich smoking articles, in this case fully assembled smoking articles 22are conveyed. The smoking article conveying section 112 conveys a linearpath along which smoking articles 22 pass. The smoking articles 22, andtherefore the corresponding filter rod segment, travel in a transversedirection to its longitudinal axis.

A fork resonator 113 acts as the microwave sensor unit. The forkresonator 113 is disposed along the linear path. The fork resonator 113comprises two arms 114, 115. A detection space 116 is defined betweenthe two arms 114, 115. The smoking article conveying section 112 of theconveyor belt arrangement in extends through the detection space 116.Therefore, the linear path along which smoking articles 22 pass extendsthrough the detection space 116, and so the detection space 116coincides with the path of the inserted object of filter rod segment.The fork resonator 113 removes the need to have separate transmitter andreceiver modules.

As cigarettes 22 are fed successively around the inspection drum 27 andfed onto the conveyor belt arrangement iii. The cigarettes 22 thensuccessively pass along the smoking article conveying section 112through the detection space 116 defined by the fork resonator 113. Thecorresponding filter rod segment pass through this detection space 116in a transverse direction to its longitudinal axis. The fork resonator113 carries out an inspection of the inserted object of filter rodsegment. The fork resonator 113 feeds data to the processor P whichcompares it with stored information corresponding to predefinedcriteria. The processor then controls the outlet drum 29, acting as adiverting unit, depending on the outcome, so that the cigarettes whichmeet the quality control criteria are fed in an accept path onto anoutput conveyor 115 for packaging. The rejected cigarettes are notpicked up by the outlet drum 29, and so they continue on a reject pathof the conveyor belt arrangement in and transfer into a reject bin 116.The diverting action of the outlet drum 29, acting as a diverting unit,is implemented or assisted by controlling a negative pressure that holdsand retains the cigarettes 22 in the grooves 2 on the outlet drum 29.

It will be recognized that in embodiments of the cigarette makingmachine, the or each microwave sensor unit may be disposed at any pointonline on the cigarette making machine. That is, at any point along thesmoking article assembly path of the cigarette making machine betweenthe filter rods being received by the cigarette making machine and theassembled smoking article being discharged from the cigarette makingmachine.

In the above described embodiments, one microwave sensor unit isdisposed along the assembly path and configured to provide an indicationof one or more properties of an inserted object in each filter rodpassing transversely along the smoking article assembly path through themicrowave sensor unit. For example, in the embodiments described withreference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the microwave sensor unit for providing anindication of each filter rod comprises one microwave transmitter andone corresponding microwave receiver acting together as a sensingarrangement. However, it will be understood that in an alternativeembodiment two or more microwave sensor units are disposed along theassembly path, the two or more microwave sensor units being configuredto provide an indication of one or more properties of an inserted objectin each filter rod passing transversely along the smoking articleassembly path through the microwave sensor units. It should beunderstood that the number of microwave receivers and microwavetransmitters may vary.

In an arrangement with two microwave sensor units arranged to detecteach filter rod passing transversely along the smoking article assemblypath through the microwave sensor units, the microwave sensor units aredisposed across the path of each filter rod. That is, the microwavesensor units form an array arranged transverse to the path of eachfilter rod. In an arrangement in which each microwave sensor unitcomprises one microwave transmitter and one microwave receiver, themicrowave receivers form an array arranged transverse to the path ofeach filter rod and the corresponding microwave transmitters aredisposed across the path of each filter rod to form an array arrangedtransverse to the path of each filter rod. The array of microwavetransmitters and the array of microwave receivers are aligned with eachother.

The microwave sensor units are disposed adjacent to each other and areconfigured to provide an indication of one or more properties of aninserted object in each filter rod at two or more points along oradjacent to the path of each filter rod. That is, each microwave sensorunit is disposed to provide detection at a different point along thelongitudinal axis of the filter rod. This provides redundancy in theevent that one of the microwave sensor units is restricted fromproviding feedback.

Furthermore, in one embodiment one or more of the microwave sensor unitsare disposed adjacent to the path of each filter rod. That is, saidmicrowave sensor unit may be aligned with a rod, such as a tobacco rod,disposed adjacent to the filter rod. Such a microwave sensor unit isconfigured to provide an indication of the property of an insertedobject in the filter in dependence on the effect on the adjacent rod.For example, by said microwave sensor unit aligned with the adjacent roddetermining the moisture level of the adjacent rod it is possible todetermine whether liquid has been transferred to the adjacent rod fromthe inserted object. This arrangement, helps to provide an indication ofone or more properties of an inserted object in each filter rod when amaterial which obscures detection using microwave sensing means, such ascharcoal, forms part of the filter rod. Therefore, it is possible toindirectly determine a property of an inserted object.

One or more microwave sensor units in the array may be selectivelyswitched off, depending on the properties being sensed. For example, ifthere is only one capsule or inserted object in a filter rod, only onesensor in the array need be activated. The number of microwave sensorsthat are operable can depend on the number of capsules or insertedobjects in a filter rod, with any redundant sensors in the array beingselectively deactivated.

It should also be understood that, by providing an array of microwavesensor unit disposed along the assembly path and configured to providean indication of one or more properties of an inserted object in eachfilter rod passing transversely along the smoking article assembly paththrough the microwave sensor units, it is possible to allow formisalignments of the filter rods in a longitudinal direction.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety ofthis disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments inwhich the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for asuperior smoking article assembly machine and/or method of assembling asmoking article on a smoking article assembly machine. The advantagesand features of the disclosure are of a representative sample ofembodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They arepresented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimedfeatures. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples,functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosureare not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by theclaims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that otherembodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Variousembodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentiallyof, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components,features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includesother inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed infuture.

1. A smoking article assembly machine comprising: a filter rod receivingsection configured to receive filter rods containing an inserted object,an assembled smoking article discharge section, a smoking articleassembly path between the filter rod receiving section and the assembledsmoking article discharge section along which filter rods pass in atransverse direction to the longitudinal axis of filter rods, and amicrowave sensor unit through which filter rods pass in a transversedirection, the microwave sensor unit being disposed along the assemblypath and configured to provide an indication of one or more propertiesof an inserted object in each filter rod passing transversely along thesmoking article assembly path through the microwave sensor unit.
 2. Thesmoking article assembly machine according to claim 1, furthercomprising a conveyor drum arrangement including a rotatable drumconfigured to receive the filter rods, or at least partially assembledsmoking articles including the filter rods, around its periphery andthereby to transport the filter rods along an arced path during itsrotation, the microwave sensor unit being configured to provide anindication of one or more properties of an inserted object in eachfilter rod received by the rotatable drum.
 3. The smoking articleassembly machine according to claim 2, wherein the microwave sensor unitcomprises a first detector unit and a second detector unit configured toprovide an indication of one or more properties of an inserted object ineach filter rod when each filter rod is interposed between the firstdetector unit and the second detector unit.
 4. The smoking articleassembly machine according to claim 3, wherein the first detector unitis outside the diameter of the arced path of the filter rods, and thesecond detector unit is within the diameter of the arced path of thefilter rods.
 5. The smoking article assembly machine according to claim3, wherein the first detector unit is a microwave transmitter and thesecond detector unit is a microwave receiver.
 6. The smoking articleassembly machine according to claim 3, wherein the first detector unitis a microwave receiver and the second detector unit is a microwavetransmitter.
 7. The smoking article assembly machine according to claim3, further comprising a base about which the rotatable drum isrotatable, wherein at least one of the first and second detector unitsis on the base.
 8. The smoking article assembly machine according toclaim 1, wherein the microwave sensor unit comprises a planar resonatoron the smoking article assembly path.
 9. The smoking article assemblymachine according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable drum is anintermediate drum.
 10. The smoking article assembly machine according toclaim 1, further comprising a linear conveyor arrangement configured toreceive said filter rods, or at least partially assembled smokingarticles including said filter rods, and thereby to transport saidfilter rods along a linear path, the microwave sensor unit beingconfigured to provide an indication of one or more properties of aninserted object in each filter rod received by the linear conveyorarrangement.
 11. The smoking article assembly machine according to claim10, wherein the microwave sensor unit comprises a fork resonator on thesmoking article assembly path.
 12. The smoking article assembly machineaccording to claim 1, comprising at least two microwave sensor unitsconfigured to provide an indication of one or more properties of aninserted object in each filter rod at two or more points along oradjacent to the path of each filter rod.
 13. The smoking articleassembly machine according to claim 12, wherein each of the at least twomicrowave sensor units are selectively operational, so that the numberof operational microwave sensor units can be set to correspond to thenumber of inserted objects in each filter rod.
 14. The smoking articleassembly machine according to claim 1, wherein the filter rod receivingsection configured to receive filter rods containing an inserted objectis a filter rod receiving section configured to receive filter rodscontaining a capsule.
 15. The smoking article assembly machine accordingto claim 1, wherein the microwave sensor unit is configured to bestationary during operation.
 16. A method of assembling a smokingarticle on a smoking article assembly machine comprising receiving afilter rod containing an inserted object, assembling the smokingarticles including the filter rod containing the inserted object, anddischarging the assembled smoking article, the method further includingpassing filter rods in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axisof the filter rod through a microwave sensor unit to provide anindication of one or more properties of the inserted object in thefilter rod passing in a transverse direction between receiving thefilter rod and discharging the assembled smoking article.